Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to make public delays in US arms supplies, saying months of private discussions had not produced any results.
At the beginning of a cabinet meeting on Sunday (23), Netanyahu said that “after months of no change in this situation, I decided to hold a public demonstration. I did this based on years of experience and knowing that this step is essential to get results.”
Netanyahu stated on Tuesday (18) in a video posted on ”.
In response, US envoy Amos Hochstein told Netanyahu that his comments were “unproductive” and “more importantly, completely false.”
Although it is not the first time that Netanyahu has publicly criticized the Biden administration during the Israel-Hamas war, the dispute comes at a time when the risks surrounding the war in Gaza and a potential new conflict between Israel and Hezbollah remain high.
The US remains Israel’s most important ally and largest arms supplier, but has expressed growing concern about the rise in civilian casualties in Gaza.
During this Sunday’s meeting, Netanyahu said that “about four months ago, there was a dramatic drop in the supply of weapons arriving from the US to Israel. For weeks we asked our American friends to speed up shipments. We did it time and time again.”
“We did this at the highest levels and at every level, and I want to emphasize – we did this in private rooms. We received all kinds of explanations, but one thing we didn’t get: the situation hasn’t changed.”
Netanyahu went on to say that “in light of what I have heard over the last day, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future.”
Israeli Defense Minister travels to the US
Amid the dispute, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated on Sunday the importance of Israel’s relations with Washington ahead of a visit where he is expected to meet his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, as well as Blinken and other US officials. USA.
“The United States is our greatest ally. Our calls are important and probably more important now than ever before,” Gallant emphasized in a video recorded before his departure from Tarmac Airport.
Gallant is expected to discuss Israel’s war against Hamas and “efforts to secure the return of hostages,” as well as “measures necessary to achieve regional stability,” according to a statement.
The Israeli defense minister has clashed with Netanyahu, who faces an ongoing battle to keep his government together.
Although Gallant – a retired general – came out earlier this year and said there should be no post-war Israeli rule in Gaza, far-right cabinet members oppose any future independent Palestinian state.
In his statement, Gallant spoke of the transition to a “phase C” of the conflict in Gaza. It is unclear whether he was referring to a different stage of the fighting or how to prepare for post-conflict. A CNN International has contacted the Israeli Ministry of Defense for more details.
“I will discuss this transition with U.S. officials about how it will allow for additional factors [ao conflito]and I know that we will close closer cooperation between Israel and the USA on this matter”, pointed out the Israeli minister.
Source: CNN Brasil
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